5. Defining Features

When you strike the strings with your fingertips, the nylon strings of a classical guitar produce a round, warm tone. The brilliant sound of a trained guitarist is achieved by the additional "rolling" of the string with the fingernail. You can get nylon strings from different manufacturers in various gauges (usually available in three gauges). However, the sound of a classical guitar is significantly influenced by the type and quality of the wood from which it was made. When building expensive instruments, only select woods are used.

In general:

The sound of a guitar is significantly influenced by the type and quality of the wood used in its construction. The tone-producing top is made up of two symmetrical halves and is typically made from spruce wood. Indian rosewood is the standard for back and sides, although you can find guitars with maple sides less frequently. Mahogany is usually used for the neck and headstock. The fingerboard and bridge are made of ebony.

The top of the guitar is the most important part of the body for vibration and sound projection. However, your "first guitar" doesn't necessarily have to have a spruce top. Even laminated wood can initially satisfy the discerning ear. That being said, there are affordable instruments today that come equipped with a proper spruce top. But that alone is not a guarantee of optimal sound.

Furthermore, the bracing system of the top, known as "bracing," gives the guitar its individual sound. Many manufacturers introduce their own patents. However, the influence of bracing on sound should not be overemphasized. The bracing system was originally developed to stabilize the top.

The finish also affects the sound of an instrument. The finish should be both hard and thin to avoid dampening the sound, but it should also be flexible enough so that cracks don't immediately form, for example, with changing humidity.